Rodney Lee Nichols, 74, of Clarkston, passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at his home. Rod was born Rodney Lee Baughman on Feb. 17, 1951, in Roseburg, Ore., to Anita Young. In 1953, Anita married Richard Nichols. Rod attended Roseburg schools through graduation in 1969. During his school years, Rod played on the golf team and excelled in literature and journalism. He served as publisher of his high school yearbook committee. He enjoyed the outdoors activities of his stepfathers’ family cattle ranch and loved hunting and fishing. Rod attended Southern Oregon University from 1969–1977 where he majored in English and graduated with a master’s degree. After college, Rod worked several jobs in communications related fields from Oregon to Kansas and back again. Rod then relocated to Lewiston where he took a job for the Idaho Fish and Game in 1982 as a regional conservation educator.
Through his work at the Fish and Game, Rod met Gay Kazda when he presented outdoor education to her fourth-grade class at Camelot Elementary. Rod and Gay married in 1987 and became stepfather to Tracy and Angie. The family attended Valley Christian Center where Rod was involved in many support groups and made many wonderful friends. In 1998, a job opportunity with the Oregon Department of Forestry moved Rod and Gay to Salem, Ore., where they resided for 22 years. Rod served as a media relations officer until his retirement in 2017. Rod loved being back to his Oregon roots and made many new friends through his work and their involvement in their church, Christian Center of Salem. Rod and Gay moved back to the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley in 2020.
Rod enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. He loved coffee, books, guitars and critters of all kinds. He instilled his love of animals in his daughters and there was never a time he wasn’t easily convinced to bring home a new pet from the store. When he wasn’t working and taking care of his family, Rod spent his time playing his guitar and walking his dogs. It was usual for him to end his day with a long dog walk and a worship song guitar session. Rod is survived by his daughters, Tracy and Angie, and three granddaughters Ariana Sagali and Addy and Maleah Skelton. Rod also leaves behind son-in-law Mike Skelton, stepmother Muriel Nichols, several cousins and many friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Anita Nichols, and stepfather Richard Nichols.
A viewing will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, May 15, at Malcom’s Brower-Wann Funeral Home, 1711 18th St., Lewiston. A funeral service will be held at noon, Friday, May 16, at Orchard’s Community Church, 822 Bryden Ave., Lewiston, with a reception immediately following.
Donations in Rod’s honor may be made to Friends of Feline’s, 4157 Cherry Ave. NE, Keizer, OR 97303, or to Heifer International at 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202.
Service Information
- Date & Time
- Friday, May 16, 12:00 PM
- Location
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Orchards Community Church
822 Bryden Avenue
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
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